Naturalism Stakes – 2021

Track: Soft? Weather: Showers

There are sixteen acceptors plus three emergencies for the $200,000 Naturalism Stakes.  As always the Heatherlie Handicap is the key lead up race with ten having had their last start in that event.  Four others last ran in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley.  Danny O’Brien, Team Hayes & Team Hawkes all have two runners entered in the race.  The early favourite in the betting is the five year old gelding Nonconformist.  He has raced with out luck at both starts this preparation and looks set to run a big race from a perfect gate third up on his home track.  The second favourite is Tralee Rose.  She is a stayer on the rise and ran well in the Heatherlie Handicap first up.

Angel Of Truth has returned in good order and will be suited by any sting out of the ground.  Delphi looks ready to run a big race third up.  Grand Promenade hasn’t finished out side of the top two place getters at his last seven starts.  Amade is beginning his second Australian preparation.  Knights Order is first up.  No Effort lead all the way to win the Heatherlie Handicap last start.  Future Score won last years Cranbourne Cup, while Realm Of Flowers will be using this as another prep run on her way to the Melbourne Cup.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Vow And Declare

Danny O’Brien trained gelding who won the 2019 Melbourne Cup.  He was only fair first up and it’s been a while since he has run into the placings.

2. Angel Of Truth

Ran a good second first up in the PB Lawrence, then found the line well in the Heatherlie Handicap.  Should be ready to peak here third up and maps to get a gun run for the Melbourne Cup winning jockey Jye McNeil.

3. Mirage Dancer

Looked to be trucking on the turn in the Heatherlie but was only fair to the line.  Hard to recommend off that.

4. Delphi

Ex European galloper having his third Australian run.  He landed the gun spot one out and one back in the Heatherlie and just held his position in a race that didn’t really change formation.  2000m suits.

5. Knights Order

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained runner who has had three barrier trials to get ready for this.  He bolted in to win the Brisbane Cup by 4.8 lengths at his last start in June.  Normally takes one or two runs to get going but can be considered for multiples.

6. Amade

Another of the Ex European gallopers.  He ran a good race first up in the Easter Cup in April at this track and distance before going on to defeat Persan and co over 2600m at Flemington.  This is short of his best distance however his recent trial was sharp enough to suggest he can run a race fresh.

7. Chapada

Ran a slashing second in this race last year on the way to winning the Herbert Power at his next start.  He didn’t have a lot of room first up at the Valley but stuck on okay over the mile.  Back to Caulfield and out to 2000m are big ticks.  Could be a sharp improver.

8. Miami Bound

Five year old mare who was placed in the Sydney Cup and Tancred Stakes earlier in the year.  She never got warm in the Heatherlie first up and is looking for 2400m and beyond.

9. Port Guillaume

Weakened out to finish last beaten 7.8 lengths in the Feehan at his first Australian start.  Need to see him again before I could recommend backing him.

10. Future Score

Another one of the resumers.  He impressed winning the Cranbourne Cup last spring before going onto run placings in the Hotham Handicap and Sandown Classic.   Easy winner of a recent Stawell jump out.  Can run a big race fresh.

11. Nonconformist

Five year old gelding trained by Grahame Begg at Caulfield.  His two runs back have been excellent.  The latest he raced three wide with out cover and stuck on strongly to finish fourth in the Feehan Stakes.  Is ready for 2000m third up and should get a lovely run in transit.  Can be in this for a long way.

12. Grand Promenade

Scored easily over 2500m and 2600m at Flemington in June and July, then finish second in a fast run Open Handicap at Moonee Valley over this distance after a seven week let up.  Must respect this stable at 2000m & beyond!

13. No Effort

Found the lead and kept going to win the Heatherlie Handicap as a $21-1 chance last start.  Looks the likely leader again here.

14. Realm Of Flowers

Won her way into this years Melbourne Cup with a win in the Andrew Ramsden in May.  This is just another prep run to get ready for the first Tuesday in November.  Consider for muliples.

15. Tralee Rose

This promising stayer was heavily backed in the Heatherlie Handicap first up.  She ran a good third there after Craig Williams did an excellent job to position her on the fence behind the leader from barrier 13.  Can get a similar run in transit here and the rise in distance suits.  Major player.

16. Mosh Music

Won the Roy Higgins over 2600m earlier in the year.  Fitter now third up and gets blinkers for the first time.  Knock out chance.

17. Rostropovich (1st Emerg)

Has four wins and four placings from twenty three starts.  He wasn’t beaten far here first up, but weakened out in the Heatherlie Handicap last time.  Not sure where he’s at.

18. Constantinople (2nd Emerg)

Arrived in Australia with big wraps but has struggled in recent times.  Not for me.

19. Zeyrek (3rd Emerg)

Another of the ex European gallopers.  His first up run over 1500m at Randwick was good but he gets no favours here from barrier 18.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
11. Nonconformist	7. Chapada
15. Tralee Rose	11. Nonconformist
12. Grand Promenade	12. Grand Promenade
13. No Effort	15. Tralee Rose

The track was rated as Good

Scratchings: 17. Rostropovich, 18. Constantinople, 19. Zeyrek

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	11. Nonconformist
2nd	4. Delphi	0.1 length
3rd	15. Tralee Rose	2.35 lengths
4th	3. Mirage Dancer	2.45 lengths